Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and the motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 89 countries around the world and manufactures in over 160 factories. Our 16,000+ employees generate annual sales in excess of CHF 5 billion.

With more than 1,100 employees and 523 million € annual turnover, Sika Germany is a supporting pillar within the Sika group. At 6 manufacturing bases in Germany, most of our high quality products are produced. The German Sika center for Research & Development - one of seven centres worldwide - develops innovative products.

The bonded window

Structural bonding of the glass to the sash frame stiffens the window. As a result, the glass supports the frame instead of the usual situation where the frame supports the glass. Reduced requirements to the structural strength for the sash frame enable numerous options for improved window structures. The face widths of the sash frames are narrower, which increases the incoming light and improves the insulation characteristics. Permanent secure bonding of the glass with the frame reduces maintenance costs because the structure retains its dimensional stability. Settling of the sash frames is largely excluded. Automation of the glazing process and reduction of steel reinforcement make enormous contributions to improved productivity in window manufacturing.

Plastic Windows

Structural glass bonding in plastic windows makes the windows stiffer and increases productivity. Bonding improves the dimensional stability of the windows, even without steel reinforcement. With bonding technology, the design is no longer determined by the size of the steel reinforcement. Delicate frame structures for maximum sash frame sizes are possible. Sash frame heights of more than 2.5 m and weights up to 130 kg are possible without steel reinforcement. Permanent bonding of the glass and frame prevents settling of the window sash. On-site adjustment of the sash frames is not necessary. This saves money and increases utility. Reduced frame dimensions mean more glass, more light, and better thermal insulation. Conventional blocking in plastic windows is manual work. Automated glazing is possible with bonding technology. Automated glazing and minimal use of steel increase productivity.

Wood /Wood-Aluminium

Structural glass bonding makes wood–aluminium windows competitive. For many decades, wooden windows have been losing market share to plastic windows. Long-term use of wooden windows incurs high maintenance costs. Periodic painting is necessary to protect the windows against rotting. Exterior aluminium shells provide natural weather protection, which explains the increasing popularity of wood–aluminium windows. They have higher costs than plastic or wooden windows. Consequently, wood–aluminium windows are designated as premium windows. In wooden windows, bonding technology utilises the glass to provide natural weather protection. The glass covers the sash frame frames and thus protects them. This saves time and material.

Aluminium

Structural glass bonding in aluminium windows improves insulation and reduces costs. In order to be able to provide energy savings in keeping with present and future legislation, modern aluminium windows use plastic profiles for thermal insulation. Well insulated frame structures consist of a large number of components. Increasingly stringent requirements increase the complexity and boost costs. Bonding technology in aluminium windows utilises the insulation glass for the thermal insulation of the aluminium profiles. The insulating glass, with its better insulation characteristics, covers the sash frame and thus facilitates energy-efficient aluminium windows with simplified frame structures.